The characters of _La Mère Coupable_ are the same as those of _Le Barbier_, and _Le Mariage de Figaro_—although from a literary point-of-view it is very far from rivaling the two earlier productions, “the subject,” says Loménie, “taken in itself, is at the same time, very dramatic and of an incontestable morality.” Among the numerous letters, written or received by Beaumarchais in regard to this drama, is one addressed by him to the widow of the last of the Stuarts, the Countess of Albany, who happening to be in Paris in 1791 had begged Beaumarchais to give a reading of _La Mère Coupable_, in her salon. He replied: “Paris, 5th February, 1791. “Madame la Comtesse: “Since you insist absolutely upon hearing my very severe work, I cannot refuse you. But observe that when I wish to laugh, it is _aux éclats_; if I must weep, it is _aux sanglots_. I know nothing between but _l’ennui_. Admit then, anyone you wish Tuesday, only keep away those whose hearts are hard, whose souls are dried, and who feel pity for the sorrows that we find so delicious.... Have a few tender women, some men for whom the heart is not a chimera, and who are not ashamed to weep. I promise you that painful pleasure, and am with respect, Madame la Comtesse, etc., “Beaumarchais.” But from his own interests let us turn with him again to those of national importance. “As ardent an imagination as that of Beaumarchais,” says Loménie, “could not be expected to remain a stranger to the universal enthusiasm which in 1797 was inspired by the youthful conqueror of Italy.” Through the intervention of the General Desaix, Beaumarchais who had celebrated in prose and verse the movements of the young conqueror across the Alps, was able to address a letter to him directly, to which he received the following concise reply: “Paris, the 11 _germinal_ An VI, March, 1798. “General Desaix has handed me, citizen, your amiable letter of the 25 _ventose_. I thank you for it. I shall seize with pleasure, any circumstance which presents itself, to form the acquaintance of the author of _La Mère Coupable_. “I salute you, “Bonaparte.” “Thus,” says Loménie, “for the General Bonaparte, Beaumarchais is above all else, the author of _La Mère Coupable_. Can this be an indication of a literary preference for this drama, or a certain political repugnance for the _Mariage de Figaro_, or simply the result of the fact that _La Mère Coupable_ had recently been placed upon the stage? This is a question that seems difficult to answer. “I find,” continues Loménie, “among the papers confided to me by the family of Beaumarchais, another letter of Bonaparte, at that time first Consul, addressed to Mme. de Beaumarchais after the death of her husband, which is a reply to a petition. It reads: